Harvey: Delino DeShields Jr. accepts second base challenge

Delino DeShields Jr. is a terror on the base paths for opponents. (Smiley N. Pool/Chronicle)

LANCASTER, Ca. — There is little question Delino DeShields Jr. is one of the most exciting players to watch in the Astros organization, although threatening would be the adjective most likely used by opponents.

With his ability to reach base, his instincts and his speed, he doesn’t believe in spending much time on first when he could soon be on third.

He is a young man in a hurry.

His opportunism was crucial to the Lancaster JetHawks’ championship run last season in the Cal League and, in his mind, should have earned him a promotion from the Astros’ High Class A affiliate to at least their AA team in Corpus Christi.

“I wasn’t really expecting to come here,” he said this week. “I thought I had proven myself to get to the next level.

“But God has a plan. The Astros have plan.”

What the Astros don’t have is a place for DeShields to play in Houston.

All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve is the only player manager Bo Porter has said he would not hesitate to pencil into the lineup every day.

Altuve is 22.

DeShields, also a second baseman, is 20.

There was speculation DeShields was returned to Lancaster so he could learn a new position at Class A instead of a higher level. He started in the Astros’ organization as an outfielder. Why not switch him back?

Lancaster manager Rodney Linares said he received no instruction to find a new position for DeShields.

“I was told to get him ready to play second base in the major leagues,” Linares said.

DeShields, whose father was a major league second baseman, said he hasn’t heard of plans to move him, either.

“Altuve is the guy right now,” he said. “I accept that. He’s a good player, a really good player. I do think they’ve given me a fair chance to prove myself. But that doesn’t affect my mindset. I’m going to play hard every day and try to take his job.”

If asked to move, DeShields said he would do so with the same enthusiasm.

“It wouldn’t matter,” he said. “All I want to do is help the big team win. I’d just like to be there when the big league team wins the World Series, wins a couple of championships.

“I’ll play anywhere, even catcher.”

He actually did play catcher when he was younger, but his father objected.

“He said it was bad for my knees,” DeShields said.

The Astros, for the record, have no intention of moving DeShields to catcher.

Relief pitcher Paul Clemens #56 of the Astros pitches against the Mariners.

Relief pitcher Paul Clemens #56 of the Astros pitches against the Mariners.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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Brendan Ryan #26 of the Mariners crosses first on a groundout.

Brendan Ryan #26 of the Mariners crosses first on a groundout.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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Relief pitcher Paul Clemens #56 of the Astros gets a new ball after giving up a solo home run in the seventh inning to Jason Bay.

Relief pitcher Paul Clemens #56 of the Astros gets a new ball after giving up a solo home run in the seventh inning to Jason Bay.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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J.D. Martinez (14) and Matt Dominguez (30) bump fists after they scored in the first inning.

J.D. Martinez (14) and Matt Dominguez (30) bump fists after they scored in the first inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard throws against the Mariners in the third inning.

Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard throws against the Mariners in the third inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Mariners starting pitcher Brandon Maurer reacts on the mound after Carlos Pena hit a two run double in the first inning.

Mariners starting pitcher Brandon Maurer reacts on the mound after Carlos Pena hit a two run double in the first inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Starting pitcher Brandon Maurer #37 of the Mariners gets a visit from catcher Jesus Montero #63 in the first inning.

Starting pitcher Brandon Maurer #37 of the Mariners gets a visit from catcher Jesus Montero #63 in the first inning.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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Carlos Pena #12 of the Astros watches his two-RBI double in the first inning.

Carlos Pena #12 of the Astros watches his two-RBI double in the first inning.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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Carlos Pena hits a two-run double in the first inning.

Carlos Pena hits a two-run double in the first inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Mariners pitcher Kameron Loe walks to the mound during the third inning.

Mariners pitcher Kameron Loe walks to the mound during the third inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Starting pitcher Erik Bedard #45 of the Astros pitches in the fourth inning.

Starting pitcher Erik Bedard #45 of the Astros pitches in the fourth inning.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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Justin Maxwell scores one of six runs scored in the first inning.

Justin Maxwell scores one of six runs scored in the first inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Jose Altuve #27 of the Astros singles in the first inning.

Jose Altuve #27 of the Astros singles in the first inning.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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J.D. Martinez reacts in the dugout after he hit a home run in the second inning.

J.D. Martinez reacts in the dugout after he hit a home run in the second inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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J.D. Martinez runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run.

J.D. Martinez runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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<b><center>April 8: Mariners 3, Astros 0</b></center>
Astros manager Bo Porter, second from right, goes to the mound to talk to Astros starting pitcher Philip Humber, third from left, during the fifth inning. less

<b><center>April 8: Mariners 3, Astros 0</b></center>
Astros manager Bo Porter, second from right, goes to the mound to talk to Astros starting pitcher Philip Humber, third from left, during the fifth ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve grounds into a force out in the fifth inning.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve grounds into a force out in the fifth inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Franklin Gutierrez bunts in a run against the Astros in the fifth inning.

Franklin Gutierrez bunts in a run against the Astros in the fifth inning.

Photo: Elaine Thompson / Associated Press

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Astros relief pitcher Wesley Wright pitches against the Mariners in the seventh inning.

Astros relief pitcher Wesley Wright pitches against the Mariners in the seventh inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Astros catcher Jason Castro makes a play against the Mariners in the fifth inning.

Astros catcher Jason Castro makes a play against the Mariners in the fifth inning.

Photo: Elaine Thompson / Associated Press

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Michael Morse grounds into a double play against the Astros in the fifth inning.

Michael Morse grounds into a double play against the Astros in the fifth inning.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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Astros shortstop Ronny Cedeno begins to jump out of the way as Dustin Ackley slide safely into second base.

Astros shortstop Ronny Cedeno begins to jump out of the way as Dustin Ackley slide safely into second base.

Photo: Elaine Thompson / Associated Press

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Michael Saunders #55 of the Mariners steals second base in the first inning.

Michael Saunders #55 of the Mariners steals second base in the first inning.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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Dustin Ackley #13 of the Mariners scores on a sacrifice bunt by Franklin Gutierrez in the fifth against.

Dustin Ackley #13 of the Mariners scores on a sacrifice bunt by Franklin Gutierrez in the fifth against.